Gallery hunts out Colourist great’s work for exhibition

A MAJOR exhibition of work by one of Scotland’s most admired artists has opened in the Capital.

Leslie Hunter: A Life in Colour will be the largest exhibition of work by the artist in 70 years, with around 80 works filling two floors at the City Art Centre from today.

One of the Scottish Colourists, Hunter’s work revitalised Scottish painting in the early 20th century and is recognised for its influence on later generations.

Bill Smith, co-author of a new book on sale as part of the exhibition, said: “Today paintings by the Scottish Colourists – Peploe, Fergusson, Hunter and Cadell – are recognised and collected internationally.

“However, Leslie Hunter has not received the same level of attention and acclaim as the other three. His vision of art and his painting are still misunderstood and underrated by many in the art world.

“Yet Hunter at the top of his form has few equals in Scottish, if not British painting.”

The council’s culture and leisure leader Richard Lewis said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the City Art Centre is hosting the biggest Hunter survey exhibition in over half a century. We expect the exhibition to be very popular.”